Laser light navigational safety system for improved detectability in low visibility conditions

Abstract

The present invention provides a navigational safety lighting system for use in low visibility conditions caused by fog, mist, rain, snow or other particulate matter in the atmosphere. A laser light source is utilized which emits a beam of laser light that is visible to the naked eye when it strikes the particulate matter in the atmosphere. The laser light source may be mounted on an air, water or land craft, or may be mounted on navigational or other objects to identify them in such low visibility conditions. Also, the laser light source on an air, water or land craft may be directed in the direction of movement of the craft to identify obstacles in the path of the craft in such low visibility conditions.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A navigational safety lighting assembly that is enhanced for use in low visibility conditions caused by fog, mist, rain, snow or other particulate matter in the atmosphere, comprising: a housing having mounted therein at least one light source emitting electromagnetic radiation in the visible spectrum when electrically energized, said radiation being substantially coherent and forming a beam emanating from said source, whereby said beam is visible to the naked eye when said beam strikes the particulate matter in the atmosphere, wherein said light source is a laser emitting a wavelength from 500 nm to 770 nm. 
     
     
       2. The safety lighting assembly of claim 1, wherein said electromagnetic radiation has a wavelength of from about 500 to 560 nanometers. 
     
     
       3. The safety lighting assembly of claim 1, wherein two laser light sources are mounted within said housing. 
     
     
       4. The safety lighting assembly of claim 3, wherein said laser light sources emit radiation of different wavelengths. 
     
     
       5. The safety lighting assembly of claim 4, wherein one of said laser light sources emits radiation at a wavelength of from about 500 to 560 nanometers and the other of said laser light sources emits radiation at a wavelength of from about 650 to 770 nanometers. 
     
     
       6. A marine standard equipment navigational safety lighting assembly comprising a housing, said housing having at least one opening therein in which a lens is mounted, a first source of noncoherent electromagnetic radiation within said housing whereby when said first source is energized noncoherent radiation having a wavelength in the visible spectrum is emitted through said lens, and at least one second source of substantially coherent electromagnetic radiation of 500 to 770 nm in the visible spectrum within or affixed to said housing, whereby when said second source is energized, said coherent radiation forms a beam emanating from said second source which is visible when the beam strikes particular inclement weather matter in the atmosphere which causes low visibility conditions. 
     
     
       7. The safety lighting assembly of claim 6, wherein of said second source electromagnetic radiation has a wavelength of from about 635 to 770 nanometers. 
     
     
       8. The safety lighting assembly of claim 6, wherein of said second source electromagnetic radiation has a wavelength of from about 500 to 560 nanometers. 
     
     
       9. The safety lighting assembly of claim 6, wherein said second source comprises one or more laser light sources mounted within said housing. 
     
     
       10. The safety lighting assembled of claim 9, wherein said laser light sources emit radiation of different wavelengths. 
     
     
       11. The safety lighting assembly of claim 10, wherein one of said second light sources emits radiation at a wavelength of from about 500 to 560 nanometers and the other of said laser light sources emits radiation at a wavelength of from about 635 to 770 nanometers. 
     
     
       12. The safety lighting assembly of claim 11, wherein said lens has a portion that emits noncoherent electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of from about 500 to 560 nanometers and a second portion that emits nancoherent radiation having a wavelength of from about 635 to 770 nanometers. 
     
     
       13. The safety lighting assembly of claim 11, wherein said laser light source emitting electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of from about 635 to 770 nanometers is adjacent to said lens portion emitting radiation having a wavelength of from about 635 to 770 nanometers, and said laser light source emitting electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of from about 500 to 560 nanometers is adjacent said lens portion emitting radiation having a wavelength of from about 635 to 770 nanometers.